Travelling to the Torres Strait

Over four days, our small team had the privilege of travelling to the Torres Strait to connect with boarding families, strengthen relationships, and better understand the journey our students from remote and very remote communities undertake to call Girls Grammar their ‘home away from home’.

Deputy Principal – Students, Kathy King, Indigenous Liaison Officer, Shania Conlon, and boarders Vivian and Rudora represented the school, with the girls proudly sharing their boarding experiences and the sense of belonging they have found within our community. The journey offered a powerful reminder of the lengths families go to in supporting their daughters’ education, and the important role boarding plays in providing both care and opportunity.

Throughout our travels, we were warmly welcomed by extended families and community members, reinforcing the strong family networks that continue to surround and support our students while they are away at school. While transit delays altered our original itinerary, they also provided an unexpected opportunity to connect in Cairns with Tamara, Program Manager of the Cape York Leaders Program. This valued conversation strengthened existing relationships and highlighted shared aspirations to support young people from the Cape York Region through education and leadership pathways.

While we were unable to reach Yorke Island as planned, we are incredibly grateful to the families of Vivian and Rudora for their generosity, understanding and unwavering support, and for the time and care they had thoughtfully invested into the visit.

These experiences are a meaningful reminder of why strong partnerships between staff, students and families matter so deeply. We thank the Torres Strait Islander families and communities for their hospitality and trust, and we look forward to continuing to nurture these connections in support of our girls’ wellbeing and success.